Quick release valve

ABSTRACT

A quick release valve is provided for high pressures of the order of 50,000 p.s.i. which includes a cylinder for pressure setting having a piston head carrying a spring urged valve therein, the piston head being retained from upward movement by a lever actuated pivotal catch. The cylinder head carries the devices such as strain gage, piezo or other transducers to be exposed to the pressure of the released fluid.

I i i i Unite States atent [72] Inventor John C. Bowen Huntingdon Valley, Pa. [21] Appl. No. 32,963 [22] Filed Apr. 29,1970 I45] Patented Aug. 31, 1971 [73] Assignee The Duriron Company, Inc.

Dayton, Ohio [54] QUICK RELEASE VALVE 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 251/74, 73/37, 137/523, 251/1 16 [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6k 31/44, (301m 3/02 [50] Field of Search 251/114,

Primary Examiner-Martin P. Schwadron Assistant Examinerlrwin C. Cohen Attorneyzachary T. Wobensmith, 2nd

ABSTRACT: A quick release valve is provided for high pressures of the order of 50,000 psi. which includes a cylinder for pressure setting having a piston head carrying a spring urged valve therein, the piston head being retained from upward movement by a lever actuated pivotal catch. The cylinder head carries the devices such as strain gage, piezo or other transducers to be exposed to the pressure of the released fluid PATENIED Aueal |9?l 3,602,479

SHEET 1 UF 2 j? .1 I m/ravroe Jon N c. BOWEN QUICK RELEASE VALVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a quick release valve of piston responsive type, with the piston engaged by a lever-actuated pivoted catch.

2. Description of the Prior Art Quick release valves are useful for many purposes, for example where it is desired to calibrate pressure operated instruments such as transducers, or other devices that are to be subjected to shock pressures and which are capable of withstanding pressure shocks and providing accurate measurement, and where rapid pressure rise to full pressure in a few milliseconds is called for or rapid discharge from full pressure to zero pressure is desired. The pressure rise or release must be exceedingly rapid with little if any fluctuations, and must be capable of repetition. Precise control of the pressure is important particularly for one of the primary uses of such valves which is in the calibration of piezoelectric pressure transducers which have no zero frequency response and which can be calibrated only in terms of their responses to periodic inputs or transient inputs.

The capability of step function inputs is also desirable for determining the dynamic characteristics of instruments and the valve is useful with a liquid medium calibrator for such tests.

The valves now available do not satisfy the requirements desired for these tests. The present valves tend to impart expansion waves and pressure changes to the fluids due to their construction, and this leads to pressure and volume increases resulting in various errors such as overshooting.

The quick release valve of the invention is free from the operating limitations of presently available valves and provides many additional advantages not found in presently available valves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention a quick release valve is provided that has a pressure cylinder containing a piston head against which predetermined fluid pressure and a resilient force can be applied, the piston head being restrained from movement in a direction for release by a pivoted catch actuated by a lever for quick release which valve may provide shock pressures and step input pressures to transducers for calibration.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a quick release valve that provides transient or periodic input pressures for calibrating piezoelectric pressure transducers, strain gage pressure transducers, and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a quick release valve that is positive in its operation and has freedom from increase in pressure upon operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a quick release valve that is easy to construct but sturdy and reliable in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a quick release valve that provides a precisely controlled flow of pres sure fluid.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view as seen from the line 33 of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 thereof, one embodiment of the valve is shown wherein the effect of rapid pressure release is desired and which valve is mounted on a vertical frame 11 by L-shaped outwardly extending struts 12, the struts being fastened to plate 11 by bolts l4.

The valve 10 is secured to the struts 12 by capscrews 15 extending into its circular top cover plate or head 16. An outer cylinder 17 with which the cover plate 16 is engaged is fastened to plate 16 by capscrews 20 and the cylinder 17 is closed at the bottom by lower cover 'plate or head 21 held thereto by capscrews 20. The top plate 16 is provided with a discharge fluid connection 22. The casing 17 is also provided with a setting pressure fluid connection 23 and extending to a source of fluid under pressure to provide a set pressure.

The top plate 16 has a threaded locking sleeve 25 thereon with an internal bore 26 containing a spring adjusting stop screw 27 therein which extends through a threaded hold 28 in plate 16 and is engaged with a ball 29 carried in a spring abutment cup 31. a

The abutment cup 31 has a shoulder 32 against which a compression spring 33 engages and urges the cup 31 into contact with adjusting screw 27. The spring 33 at its other end engages a collar 35 slidably carried in a bore 36 of a piston head assembly 37. The piston head assembly 37 includes a slidable cup shaped piston 38 carried in the bore 39 of casing 17 and has seal 40 carried on an outer ring 41 and engaging the surface of bore 39 for sealing. The bore 39 has an annular piston 45 therein which engages a split stop ring 46 disposed in a channel or groove 47 in the bore 39. The piston 45 is provided with exterior seals 49 bearing against the surface of bore 39 and inner seals 50 bearing against piston 38.

A piston head 51 is also slidably carried in the bore 39 and has thepiston 38 secured thereto by capscrews 52. The collar 35 has a rod 54 engaged therewith and slidably carried in bore 56 of the piston '38 and also in central bore 57 of head 51. The rod 54 is provided with O-ring seals 59 which bear against bore 58in plate 21.

The rod 54 extends further downwardly through bore 58 and has thereon a reduced stem 60 with a conical end 61 which engages an inserted and removable seat plug 62. The seat plug 62 has a bore 63 therein and the seat plug 62 extends upwardly in bore 58 being retained therein by a cylindrical end cap 65 held to plate 21 by capscrews 66.

The lower' cover plate 21 is provided with a radial fluid inlet bore 67 which has a pipe 68 therein and communicating with the central bore 58.

The cap 65 has a recess 69 in which seat plug 62 is retained in position and a central bore 70 extending downwardly therefrom with a lower threaded portion 71 into which a strain gage transducer 72 (shown in phantom) may be inserted for testing. A bore 93 communicating with bore 70 is provided and a pipe 94 extending to a source of fluid under pressure is connected thereto. One or more bores 95 can be provided (see FIG. 2) in which transducers to be tested are mounted. The pipe 94 can be utilized to supply the pressure to which the transducers are to be subjected prior to release of the pressure as hereinafter explained.

Referring now to FIG. 4 another embodiment of the invention is shown which is used when the effect of pressure rise is to be measured and includes much of the structure common to the valve of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 but which has a lower plate secured to casing 17 by bolts (not shown) and with a central bore 101 larger than bore 58 in which a guide bushing 102 is in threaded engagement. The guide bushing 102 has a bore 103 therein which carries a stem 104 of shaft 105 which stem engages a seat plug 62. The seat plug 62 is retained in a recess 106 of an end cap 107 which is secured to plate 100 by bolts 108. The end plate 107 has a short bore 110 therein in line with bore 101 below seat 62 but which does not extend through the end cap 107.

An inlet bore 111 is provided perpendicular to bore 1 and with a pipe 112 therein extending to a source of fluid under pressure, and which pressure is to be applied suddenly to a transducer or the like.

The lower plate 100 is provided with one or more bores 114 which communicate with bore 101 and with outer threaded portions 115 with which piezoelectric or other transducers 116 (shown in phantom) may be inserted for testing.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2- and 3 the piston head 51 is shown as restrained from upward movement by a finger 74 in opening 75 of cylinder 17 and is connected to a latch arm 76 which is pivotally mounted by pin 77 between the struts 12 with spacer disks 78 on the pin 77 for centering ofthe latch arm.

The latch arm 76 has a spring 79 engaged therewith and in a recess 80 in frame 11 urging the latch finger 74 into engaged position. An actuating lever 81 is provided pivotally mounted by pin 82 on frame 11 and having a hole 83 therein in which the head 84 of a bolt 85 is engaged. The bolt 85 extends into a threaded portion 86 of latch 75 and is provided with a lock nut 87 thereon for preventing the bolt 85 from turning.

In order to prevent oscillations of the piston head assembly 37 a damping assembly 118 may be provided which includes a bracket 119 fastened to the outside of casing 17 by bolt 120. The bracket 119 carries a rod 121 with knob 122 and spring 123 urging the rod 121 and a wedge block 124 through hole 125 under the piston head 51 when it moves upwardly.

The wedge block 124 is easily withdrawn and its inward movement prevents the piston head 51 from oscillating downward movements when pressure is suddenly increased.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 for determining the effects of pressure release, fluid under pressure is supplied through pipe 94 to bore 93 and into central bore 70 where the pressure is effective against strain gage transducer 72. The setting pressure applied through the pipe 23 acts against the piston 45 and against the ring 41 of the piston 37 in opposition to the force exerted by the spring 33.

The forces effective on the head 51 also include the pressure applied on the valve stem in the bore 58 and on the end of the valve stem 60 in the bore 63.

The head 51 is held against movement of the valve stem 60 by the latch finger 74.

When it is desired to quickly release the pressure effective in the bore 70 to determine the effect of such pressure release on the transducer, the lever arm 81. is moved to disengage latch finger 74 to permit piston head 51 and assembly 37 to move upwardly under the pressure thereon at rim 41. The pressure is released through bore 63 in seat plug 62, bore 58, bore 67 and pipe 68.

When the effect of rapid pressure rise is desired the embodiment in FIG. 4 is utilized.

With pressure effective as before from the pipe 23, and with the loading pressure effective through the pipe 112 but retained by the closed condition of the valve stem 104 with respect to the seat plug 62, the lever arm 81 is moved as before to move the latch finger 74 sothat piston head 51 and assembly 37 permit shaft 105 to move upwardly and permit fluid pressure to be effective through pipe 112, bore 111, bore 110, bore 63, bore 101 and bore 114 on transducer 116.

The pressure in cylinder 17 can be released and piston head assembly 51 and assembly 38 will return under pressure of spring 33 to seat valve stem 104 and the operation may be repeated as desired.

1 claim:

1. A quick release valve which comprises a cylinder having end closures,

a piston head assembly slidably carried in said cylinder,

a fluid connection for applying a fluid pressure in the interior of said cylinder and against said piston head assembly,

a collar slidably carried in said piston head assembly, means for resiliently biasing said collar,

a valve rod carried by said collar having a stem extending through said piston head assembly and one of said end closures,

an end cap associated with said one of said end closures,

a seat plug carried in said end cap and having a bore controlled by said valve rod,

said end cap having an interior bore to which access through said seat plug bore is controlled by said valve rod,

a fluid supply connection in communication with said interior bore for supplying a test fluid pressure,

a mounting member in fixed relation to said cylinder for insertion of a device to be tested in exposed relation to the pressure conditions in said interior bore as determined by the positioning ofsaid valve rod, and

piston latch means including a member for resiliently urging said latch means for releasably holding said piston head assembly and moving said valve stem to open position for rapid pressure change in said interior bore.

2. A quick release valve as defined in claim 1 in which said mounting member is carried by said end cap.

3. A quick release valve as defined in claim 1 in which said mounting member is interposed between said end cap and said cylinder.

4. A quick release valve as defined in claim 1 in which said piston head assembly is cup shaped with an outwardly extending rim engaging the interior of said cylinder.

5. A quick release valve as defined in claim 4 in which said collar is interiorly disposed in said piston head as sembly,

said resilient biasing means includes a spring interposed between said collar and the other of said end closures to resiliently urge said collar to seat said valve rod on said seat plug, and means engaging said spring for adjusting said spring.

6. A quick release valve as defined in claim 5 in which said means for adjusting said spring includes an exteriorly accessible member at said other end closure.

7. A quick release valve as defined in claim 1 in which said fluid supply connection in communication with said bore is carried by said end cap.

8. A quick release valve as defined in claim 3 in which said fluid supply connection in communication with said bore is carried by said end cap. 

1. A quick release valve which comprises a cylinder having end closures, a piston head assembly slidably carried in said cylinder, a fluid connection for applying a fluid pressure in the interior of said cylinder and against said piston head assembly, a collar slidably carried in said piston head assembly, means for resiliently biasing said collar, a valve rod carried by said collar having a stem extending through said piston head assembly and one of said end closures, an end cap associated with said one of said end closures, a seat plug carried in said end cap and having a bore controlled by said valve rod, said end cap having an interior bore to which access through said seat plug bore is controlled by said valve rod, a fluid supply connection in communication with said interior bore for supplying a test fluid pressure, a mounting member in fixed relation to said cylinder for insertion of a device to be tested in exposed relation to the pressure conditions in said interior bore as determined by the positioning of said valve rod, and piston latch means including a member for resiliently urging said latch means for releasably holding said piston head assembly and moving said valve stem to open position for rapid pressure change in said interior bore.
 2. A quick release valve as defined in claim 1 in which said mounting member is carried by said end cap.
 3. A quick release valve as defined in claim 1 in which said mounting member is interposed between said end cap and said cylinder.
 4. A quick release valve as defined in claim 1 in which said piston head assembly is cup shaped with an outwardly extending rim engaging the interior of said cylinder.
 5. A quick release valve as defined in claim 4 in which said collar is interiorly disposed in said piston head assembly, said resilient biasing means includes a spring interposed between said collar and the other of said end closures to resiliently urge said collar to seat said valve rod on said seat plug, and means engaging said spring for adjusting said spring.
 6. A quick release valve as defined in claim 5 in which said means for adjusting said spring includes an exteriorly accessible member at said other end closure.
 7. A quick release valve as defined in claim 1 in which said fluid supply connection in communication with said bore is carried by said end cap.
 8. A quick release valve as defined in claim 3 in which said fluid supply connection in communication with said bore is carried by said end cap. 